Strictly Come Dancing: La Voix delivers glamourous Couple’s Choice ahead of Blackpool special
Welcome back! Here’s what to expect tonight…
We’re back for week eight of the competition, with just eight couples left.
Find out all of the songs and dances for tonight’s programme, below:
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe will dance a Waltz to “Weekend in New England” by Barry Manilow.
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon will dance an American Smooth to “My Guy” by Mary Wells.
George Clarke and Alexis Warr will dance a Rumba to “Somewhere Only We Know” by Lily Allen
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu will dance an American Smooth to “You Don’t Own Me” by SAYGRACE.
La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec will dance a Couple’s Choice to “Don’t Rain On My Parade” by Barbra Streisand.
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones will dance a Tango to “12 to 12” by sombr.
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington will dance a Jive to “Sound of the Underground” by Girls Aloud.
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin will dance a Paso Doble to “Dream On” by Aerosmith.
Ellie Muir15 November 2025 14:32
Comment: Strictly Come Dancing’s Amber Davies is phenomenal – it’s time to get over her West End training
Last week, my colleague Rachel McGrath wrote about the brilliance of Amber Davies, who regularly faces criticism due to her previous dance experience.
“Strictly needs contestants like Davies. There aren’t many people who could replace an injured star with just 24 hours’ notice. When it comes to performances, she pulls off dynamic, exciting and ambitious routines, and her natural flair means her pro partner Nikita Kuzmin can go all out with the choreography.”
Ellie Muir15 November 2025 14:37
Some Blackpool news: Expect four stars to return next week
Strictly has announced that Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts, The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness, and actors Layton Williams and Danny Mac will return for the Blackpool broadcast next week. They are expected to star in a very special group number.
Ellie Muir15 November 2025 14:40
And we’re off!
It’s week eight so we’re down to just eight couples – and with Blackpool next Saturday, nobody wants to go home.
Tonight’s episode will feature a rumba, a Girls Aloud-themed jive and a Couple’s Choice – the latter from La Voix, who survived last week’s dance-off.
The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star kept her place in the competition, with Gladiators’ Harry (aka Nitro) sadly going home. Who won’t quite make it to the iconic Tower ballroom? Let’s find out…
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 18:31
Strictly highlights the significance of Blackpool week
The show is opening with a VT about Blackpool, of course.
If you’d like to get a bit merry tonight then I can recommend taking a sip of a drink every time the town is mentioned. But drink responsibly, OK?
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 18:36
Balvinder opens the show
Balvinder and Julian are dancing an American Smooth to the Mary Wells’ classic “My Guy”.
The EastEnders star had a rare week off from the dance-off after wowing with her Couple’s Choice last week and this feels like a really nice routine for her to be following it up with.
It goes without saying , she is unfortunately one of the stars who has struggled in the competition.
How’s she doing tonight, though? The routine has started with one of my few Strictly peeves – a CGI set. Performance wise, it’s solid! Perhaps not as smooth as it could be, however – and sorry, but it’s week eight so we have to be picky…
Balvinder and Julian (BBC)
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 18:42
Balvinder ‘played it safe’ say the judges
Here are the judges’ comments for Balvinder…
Anton: “What a lovely way to start the evening. I thought you had lovely musicality, lovely characterisation. For me, it was a little safe, that was all. I wanted a bit more of that positivity you showed last week. I enjoyed the performance, I just needed a little bit more power.”
Craig: “Your shoulders were raised slightly, your frame was occasionally a bit iffy. You need to watch your recovery arm when coming down from a lift. But you know, you always dance with conviction and you’re the most beautiful storyteller as well.”
Motsi: “I think really, the balance of the performance was a little bit of a problem for me. Your strong parts are so so strong, and then the minute you guys get together, there’s a carefulness. I think you are wonderful, you have a light in you that is shining. And if it goes a little bit dim, we miss the charisma you give.”
Shirley: “It takes a lot of courage and here we are, up you go, you’re doing the lifts, I can see you’re really comfortable. Thank you for working on your footwork too.”
And her scores are… 6 (ouch!), 7, 7, and 7 – a total of 27. That could be one of tonight’s lower totals…
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 18:47
Amber tackles the paso doble
Amber and Nikita (my personal faves last week) are up now with a paso doble to “Dream On” by Aerosmith.
I had high hopes for this and they are not disappointing. First of all: the outflts. They both look sensational, Nikita is essentially topless, FYI.
Well… wow. (BBC)
This routine has heaps of drama, I love a more modern take on the paso. It does have the fluidity needed too, Amber is definitely moving between the all-important paso shapes so well. Bravo!
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 18:51
Amber labelled ‘perfect’ – but misses out on perfect score
The audience is on their feet!
Here are the judges’ comments for Amber…
Motsi: “I mean… every time you dance, it’s a highlight. I love that every single dance looks so different and you get fully into the dance. You keep the presence and presentation. Great choreography. I had to put my pen down because I was so involved and I want that. You put so much drama on it, I thought, ‘this is perfect’. Absolutely stunning.”
Shirley: “I would have liked to have seen more side stretch. That aside, the way you use your arms was exquisite. I love the way you took your skirt. Coming through the picture frame, selling the storyline. We loved it. All in all, very good.”
Anton: “It was thrilling to watch, it really was. I love nothing more than speed changes. Love that. You know, I found the whole thing very, very exciting. Well done.”
Craig: “I agree with Shirley, there could have been a little more shaping through the torso. But my goodness, you are so clean. The drama through that. You dance with purpose. I thought it was brilliant.”
And Amber’s scores are… 9, 10, 9, 10 – a total of 38!
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 18:57
Alex waltzes into week eight
Up next with a waltz to “Weekend in New England” by Barry Manilow, it’s Alex and Johannes.
Alex had a rare struggle last week with the paso doble and found herself joint first from the bottom, but avoided the dance-off thanks to viewers’ votes.
This is lovely but I do find waltzes a bit boring (sorry). Alex definitely seems to have her confidence back, which is great. And you can tell these two just have the loveliest partnership.
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 19:01
